Musical Maestro heads for the winners' enclosure under jockey Ian Spence, following his decisive victory in the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy at Caymanas Park yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

MUSICAL MAESTRO defied top weight of 57kg to win the 12th running of the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1200 metres for the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy in decisive fashion at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Ridden by Ian Spence, deputising forFlorida-based Allen 'Bungo John' Maragh who was injured in a spill at Calder racetrack in Miami on Friday and was unable to fly in for the race, MUSICAL MAESTRO won by three-quarters of a length from fast-finishing 5-1 chance CALABASH BAY.

Finishing third, a farther neck away was 10-1 chance MEDICAL REPORT (always prominent) with CLASSY BOY PETE (32-1) close up in fourth after failing to go the early pace in a field of 11.

MUSICAL MAESTRO was never far off the pace in fifth as the fleet-footed DOUBLE BOW (24-1) led at a fast clip from DIGI N' JIGGY and highly fancied LA REINA (9-5).

The grey DOUBLE BOW turned for home under pressure from a number of horses, but MUSICAL MAESTRO was quickly produced on the outside by Spence to take command in mid-stretch, but had to be driven out to the line.

straight five track record

A five-year-old chestnut gelding by Royal Minister out of the 1994 1000 Guineas winner Melissa's Song, MUSICAL MAESTRO, who is the current holder of the straight five track record (56.1), is owned by Hamark Farms (Hamilton Hamilton), bred by Victor McFarlane and trained by Dwight Chen.

According to the trainer, the gelding's major objective is the prestigious Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint on the 'Superday' programme in November.

Meanwhile, the 6-5 favourite PURE MUD won the day's secondary feature for the Ren Gonsalves Memorial Cup (over-night allowance) in fine style over 2000 metres.

Ridden by five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson for owner Ian Parsard and 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, PURE MUD an American bred 4-y-o filly running on Lasix for the first time, vied for the lead with HERECOMESFUDGIE for a long way. She was firmly in control from early in the straight to beat the 2003 Governor's Cup and St. Leger winner by 3¹/² lengths in a field of 13.

On a day when smart apprentice Andre Martin rode three winners - FELICIDAD, POOORLITTLERICHBOY and the impressive 3-y-o debutante OUTSTANDING from the stables of Allan 'Billy' Williams, the annual JRC walkstacle once again had a dramatic outcome.

First past the post, Nation Wide's George Davis (13-1) and the runner-up Paul Pancho (3-1 fav.) were both disqualified by the stewards for running and first place was awarded to Andrew Davidson, who was third past the post, and second went to CVM sportscaster, Rohan Daley.

Midweek racing takes a break this week to pave the way for the Digicel Jamaica Derby on Saturday.